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I need not dwell on my interview with my mother. She had no doubts about my identity, but drawing me to her, kissed me again and again, as most mothers would do, I suspect, under similar circumstances. She was unwilling to let me go, but at length Aunt Martha, suggesting that I might be hungry, a fact that I could not deny, as I was almost ravenous, I quickly joined the merry party round the tea-table, when I astonished them not a little by the number of slices of ham and bread which I shortly devoured. My father soon arrived. He was not much given to sentiment, but he wrung my hand warmly, and his mind was evidently greatly relieved on finding that his plan for breaking me of my desire for a sea life had not ended by consigning me to a watery grave. He was considerably astonished, and evidently highly pleased, when I put into his hands the box and case which old Tom had given into my care; and I told him how I had fallen in, on board the Naiad, with the boy I fully believed to be Mr Clement Leslie’s heir.

“This is indeed strange,” he muttered, “very strange, and we must do our best to find him out Jack. It’s a handsome estate, and it will be a pity if the young fellow is not alive to enjoy it. I must set Simon Munch to work at once.”

“Perhaps if the Russian frigate has returned home, we may learn from her officers what has become of him,” I suggested. “We will think the matter over. Would you like a trip to Russia, Jack?”

“Above all things, sir,” I answered. “I could start to-morrow if it were necessary;” though I confess I felt very unwilling to run away again so soon from home, especially as my mother was so ill. Perhaps, also, Grace Goldie entered somewhat into my considerations.

Next morning while we were at breakfast, and my father was looking over the newspaper, he exclaimed, “We are in luck, Jack! Did you not say that the name of the Russian frigate which picked you up was the Alexander? I see that she has just arrived at Spithead, from China and the Western Pacific. If so, there is not a moment to be lost, for she will probably be off again in a few days. You must start at once. Get your sisters to pack up such of your brother’s things as will fit you, and I’ll order a post-chaise to the door immediately.”

“I shall be ready, sir, directly I have swallowed another egg or two, and a few more slices of toast,” I answered. “Munch must go with you, that there may be no mistake about the matter,” said my father. “He will be of great assistance.”

All seemed like a dream. In a quarter of an hour I was rattling away as fast as a couple of posters could go, along the road to London. I sat in a dignified and luxurious manner, feeling myself a person of no little consequence–remembering that, at the same hour on the previous day, I had been trudging along the road ragged and hungry, with some doubt as to the reception I was to meet with at home. My tongue was kept going all the time, for Munch wished to hear all about my adventures. “Well, Master Jack, I am glad to have you back,” he said. “To tell the truth, my conscience was a little uncomfortable at the part I had taken in shipping you off on board the collier, though I might have known,”–he cast a quizzical look at me–“that those are never drowned who are–“

“Born to end their lives comfortably in bed,” I added, interrupting him. “You needn’t finish the sentence in the way you were about to do; I was never much of a favourite of yours, Mr Munch, I know.”